Quickly removable ignition coil installation for automobile theft prevention

ABSTRACT

An ignition coil receptacle adapted to be mounted near an automobile engine has a removable cover containing first, second and third low-tension terminals and a single high-tension terminal detachable engageable respectively with first, second and third correspondingly located low-tension electrodes and a single high-tension electrode mounted in the end cap of an automobile ignition induction coil removably mounted in the receptacle. One end of the primary winding of the coil is connected as usual to one end of the secondary winding thereof and their common junction is connected to the first low-tension electrode which in turn is connected directly to the second lowtension electrode. The opposite end of the primary winding is connected to the third low-tension electrode whereas the opposite end of the secondary winding is connected to the single hightension electrode. The first, second and third low-tension cover terminals are connected to first, second and third low-tension cables and the single high-tension cover terminal to a hightension cable, all of these cables being contained within a flexible tubular casing. The first low-tension cable leads to a conventional timer, the opposite pole of which is grounded. The interconnected second low-tension cable is connected to one side of the conventional coil condenser, the opposite side of which is grounded to the engine. The third low-tension cable leads to one terminal of a conventional storage battery, the opposite terminal of which is grounded to the automobile frame. The single hightension cable is connected to the rotor of the conventional distributor, the fixed poles of which are connected to the central electrode of the spark plug whose casings are grounded to the engine. Upon leaving the automobile, the driver pulls outward upon the receptacle cover, thereby withdrawing the coil and cover as a unit from the receptacle. He then pulls the cover terminals and coil electrodes apart from one another to separate them, replaces the cover upon the receptacle, and carries the ignition coil away with him, thereby preventing theft of the automobile.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ernest Brunside tension electrodesand a single high-tension electrode 3843 Rohns Ave., Detroit, Mich.48214 mounted in the end cap of an automobile ignition induction [2]]Appl. No. 877,890 coil removably mounted in the receptacle. One end ofthe pri- Filed 1969 mary winding of the coil is connected as usual toone end of Patented y 1971 the secondary winding thereof and theircommon junction is connected to the first low-tension electrode which inturn is QUICKLYREMOVABLE IGNITION COIL gonnected dlrectly to the secondlow-tens1on electrode. The pposite end of the pr1mary wmdlng 1sconnected to the th1rd FOR AUTOMOBILE THEFT low-tension electrodewhereas the opposite end of the secon- 8 Cl 4 D dary winding isconnected to the single h1gh-tension electrode.

rawmg The first, second and third low-tension cover terminals are [52]US. Cl 336/90, connected to first, second and third low-tension cablesand the 336/92, 336/107, 336/192 single high-tension cover terminal to ahigh-tension cable, all

[51] Int. Cl H0lt 27/02 of these cables being contained within aflexible tubular cas- [50] Field of Search 336/90, 92, mg Th fi l wn icable leads to a conventional timer, 105, 107, 192 the opposite pole ofwhich is grounded. The interconnected second low-tension cable isconnected to one side of the con- [56] References Cited ventional coilcondenser, the opposite side of which is UNITED STATES PATENTS groundedto the engine. The third low-tension cable leads to 2,100,721 11/1937Parsons 336/l07X one terminal of a conventional Storage y. the pp2,178,687 11/1939 Hartzell etal. ass/92x terminal Of which is gmundedaummbile frame- The Primary Examiner-Thomas J. Kozma Attorney-Bartheland Bugbee single high-tension cable is connected to the rotor of theconventional distributor, the fixed poles of which are connected to thecentral electrode of the spark plug whose casings are grounded to theengine. Upon leaving the automobile, the driver pulls outward upon thereceptacle cover, thereby withdrawing the coil and cover as a unit fromthe receptacle. He then pulls the cover terminals and coil electrodesapart from one another to separate them, replaces the cover upon thereceptacle, and carries the ignition coil away with him, therebypreventing theft of the automobile.

7'0 DIS 779/54! TOR QUICKLY-REMOVABLE IGNITION COIL INSTALLATION FORAUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION In the drawings:

FIG. I is a central vertical section through a quickly removableignition coil installation, according to the invention, with the partsin their working positions;

FIG. 2 is an exploded central vertical section similar to FIG. I butwith the component parts separated from one another prior to removal ofthe ignition coil;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle cover unit looking upwardin the direction of the line 3-3 in FIG, 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the ignition coil unit looking downward inthe direction of the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a quicklyremovable ignition coil installation, generally designated l0, forautomobile theft prevention according to one form of the invention, asconsisting generally of a holder 12 attachable to an automobile engineor to a part of the automobile adjacent thereto, such as the enginecompartment bulkhead, an ignition induction coil receptacle 14 held bythe holder 12, a flanged receptacle cover unit 16 adapted to fit overthe outer end of the receptacle unit 14, and an ignition coil unit 18adapted to be removably mounted in the receptacle unit 14 in detachableengagement with the cover unit 16 and containing an ignition inductioncoil 20. The holder 12 is illustrated in the form of a bracket with anattaching arm 21 terminating at its outer end in abore or socket 22adapted to snugly fit and hold the receptacle unit 14.

The receptacle unit 14 consists of a cup-shaped receptacle 24 having agenerally cylindrical sidewall 26 and closed at its lower end by abottom wall 28. Secured as at 30 to the bottom wall 28 is a compressioncoil spring 32. The receptacle 24 has a compartment 34 therein with atop opening 36. The receptacle 24 is preferably made of syntheticplastic or other insulating material.

The ignition coil unit 18 includes a casing 40 of insulating materialsuch as synthetic plastic having at its lower end a spring abutmentplate 42. Bolted to the upper end cap 46 of the casing 40 are threeL-shaped low-tension plug electrodes 48, 50 and 52 having plug tips 49,51 and 53 respectively. A boss 54 also of insulating material, such assynthetic plastic projects upward from the end cap 46 and contains acupshaped high-tension socket electrode 56 which is connected to one endof the high-tension secondary winding (not shown) of the ignition coiland which contains a socket 57. The opposite end of the high-tensionsecondary winding is connected to one end of theprimary winding thereofand their junction is connected to the first and second plug electrodes48 and 50. The opposite end of the primary winding is connected to thethird plug electrode 52.

The receptacle cover unit 16 includes a cup-shaped cover 58 whichfitsover the upper end of the receptacle unit 14 and closes the top opening36 thereof. Secured, as by molding, in the cover 58 in alignment withplug terminals 48, 50 and 52 and the socket electrode 56 are threelow-tension socket terminals 60, 62 and 64 with sockets 61, 63 and 65therein and a central high-tension plug terminal 66 with a plug tip 67thereon. The sockets 61, 63 and 65 are adapted to mate with the tips 49,51 and 53 of the low-tension plug electrodes 48, 50 and 52 and thehigh-tension plug tip 67 with the socket 57 of the high-tension socketelectrode 56 respectively. The lowtension electrodes 48, 50 and 52 andtheir socket terminals 60, 62 and 64 collectively constitute threelow-tension separable connectors, whereas the high-tension socketelectrode 56 and the high-tension plug terminal 66 collectivelyconstitute a single high-tension separable connector. Connected to theouter ends of the low-tension socket electrodes 60, 62 and 64 arelow-tension insulated conductor cables 68, 70 and 72 which enter anelongated tubular flexible insulating casing 74. The upper end of thehigh-tension plug terminal 66 is secured to one end of a flexibleinsulated high-tension conductor cable 78 which also enters the flexibleinsulating casing 74. The insulating casing 74 forms, with thehigh-tension cable 78 and the three low-tension cables 68, 70 and 72, acomposite conductor cable 80 which protects the cables 68, 70 and 72 and78.

The opposite end of the low-tension conductor cable 72 is connected to asource of electricity, such as a conventional storage battery. Thelow-tension cable 68 is connected to a conventional timer (not shown)which in turn is grounded, as to the engine. The low-tension cable 70 isconnected to one terminal of the coil condenser, its other terminalbeing grounded to the engine. The high-tension conductor cable 78, onthe other hand, is connected at its opposite end to the rotor of aconventional distributor (not shown) and from the stationarycircumferentially spaced electrodes thereof high-tension cables run tothe spark plugs of the engine, as is well known to those skilled in theinternal combustion art.

From FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be evident that different automobiles may beequipped with cover units 16 and coil units l8 having terminals andelectrodes irregularly arranged at different locations so that a coilunit 18 from one automobile would not ordinarily fit the cover unit 16of another automobile. Such variation may be brought about, for example,by placing the low-tension plug electrodes 48, 50 and 52 and the socketterminals 60, 62 and 64 at different angular locations relatively to thecenter of the socket electrode 56. In this manner, car thefts would begreatly reduced by the difficulty of matching coil units 18 with coverunits 16.

In the use of the invention, during the normal operation of theautomobile engine, the working parts of the ignition coil device 10 arein the positions shown in FIG. 1 wherein the primary winding of theignition coil 20 receives low-tension current through the plugelectrodes 48 and 52 from the socket terminals 60 and 64 by way of theconventional timer, and discharges high-tension electric current fromits secondary winding through the socket electrode 56 and plug terminal66, causing high-tension current to flow through the high tension cable78 and thence by way of the conventional distributor to the spark plugsof the engine. The above-mentioned ground connections complete both thelow-tension and high-tension circuits. When the operator desires to haltthe automobile and leave it, he shuts off the ignition by theconventional ignition switch, raises the hood and lifts the cover unit16 off the receptacle unit 14, thereby pulling the ignition coil unit 18up ward out of the compartment 34. He then grasps the cover unit 16 inone hand and the ignition coil unit 18 on the other hand and pulls themapart, disconnecting the low-tension plug tips 49, 5 1 and 53 from theirrespective sockets 61, 63 and 65, at the same time separating the plugtip 67 of the high-tension terminal 66 from the socket 57. of thehigh'tension socket electrode 56 (FIG. 2). He then places the nowseparated ignition coil units 18 in his coat pocket, briefcase or otherconvenient carrying means, replaces the cover unit 16 upon the upper endof the receptacle unit 14, closes the hood and leaves the automobile.

A prospective thief attempting to start the automobile engine will befoiled by the absence of the ignition coil unit 18 and any attempts towire around the ignition switch by the jumper cables usually employed bycar thieves will be useless.

When the operator returns to his automobile, he reverses the abovedescribed series of steps by raising the hood, lifting off the coverunit 16, inserting the plug tips 49, SI and 53 in the sockets 61, 63 and65 and the plug tip 67 in the socket 57. He then lowers the nowinterconnected or coupled cover and ignition coil units 16 and 18 intotheir places shown in FIG. 1 with the ignition coil unit 18 disposedwithin the compartment 34 and the cover unit closing the open upper end36 of the casing unit 14, whereupon the engine is ready to be started byinserting and turning the ignition key.

Iclaim:

I. A quickly removable ignition coil installation for automobile theftprevention, comprising an ignition coil receptacle having a compartmenttherein and an access opening at the top thereof,

a receptacle cover detachably engaging the top of said receptacle, anignition'induction coil removably mounted in said receptacle and havinga casing with an end cap thereon and containing conventional low-tensionand high-tension primary and secondary windings respectively, and aplurality of separable electrical connectors disposed between said coverand said cap in interconnecting relationship therewith, each of saidconnectors including a pair of separable interengaging components withone component of each pair mounted on said cover and the other componentthereof mounted on said cap, the cover-mounted components and thecorresponding cap mounted components being disposed in correspondinglylocated positions on said cover and cap respectively, the windings ofsaid ignition coil being electrically connected to said cap-mountedcomponents, said cover-mounted components comprising terminals adaptedto be permanently connected to the conventional low-tension andhigh-tension circuits of the ignition system of the automobile. 2. Aquickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim 1,wherein'one component of each pair thereof has a plug portion thereonand the other component of each pair has a socket portion removablyreceiving said plug portion.

-3. A quickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claimI, wherein said connectors are disposed in irregular but correspondingpositions on said cover and cap respectively.

4. A quckly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim 1,wherein an expansible resilient element is disposed in said receptaclein upwardly urging engagement with said ignition induction coil.

5. A quickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim I,wherein one of said connectors is disposed centrally between said capand cover and the other connectors are spaced outwardly away from saidcentrally disposed connector.

6. A quickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim 5,wherein the high-tension winding is connected to said centrally disposedconnector.

7. A quickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim 6,wherein the low-tension winding is connected to said outwardly spacedconnectors.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,581,259 Dated May 25, 1971 Inventor(s) ERNEST BURNSIDE It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [72] the name of the inventor should read ErnestBurnside Signed and sealed this 15th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM P0-105O (19-69) USCOMM-DC eosve P69 US GOVIRNHENYPRINYING OFFICE I!" 0-365-334.

1. A quickly removable ignition coil installation for automobile theftprevention, comprising an ignition coil receptacle having a compartmenttherein and an access opening at the top thereof, a receptacle coverdetachably engaging the top of said receptacle, an ignition inductioncoil removably mounted in said receptacle and having a casing with anend cap thereon and containing conventional low-tension and high-tensionprimary and secondary windings respectively, and a plurality ofseparable electrical connectors disposed between said cover and said capin interconnecting relationship therewith, each of said connectorsincluding a pair of separable interengaging components with onecomponent of each pair mounted on said cover and the other componentthereof mounted on said cap, the cover-mounted components and thecorresponding cap mounted components being disposed in correspondinglylocated positions on said cover and cap respectively, the windings ofsaid ignition coil being electrically connected to said cap-mountedcomponents, said cover-mounted components comprising terminals adaptedto be permanently connected to the conventional low-tension andhigh-tension circuits of the ignition system of the automobile.
 2. Aquickly removaBle ignition coil installation, according to claim 1,wherein one component of each pair thereof has a plug portion thereonand the other component of each pair has a socket portion removablyreceiving said plug portion.
 3. A quickly removable ignition coilinstallation, according to claim 1, wherein said connectors are disposedin irregular but corresponding positions on said cover and caprespectively.
 4. A quckly removable ignition coil installation,according to claim 1, wherein an expansible resilient element isdisposed in said receptacle in upwardly urging engagement with saidignition induction coil.
 5. A quickly removable ignition coilinstallation, according to claim 1, wherein one of said connectors isdisposed centrally between said cap and cover and the other connectorsare spaced outwardly away from said centrally disposed connector.
 6. Aquickly removable ignition coil installation, according to claim 5,wherein the high-tension winding is connected to said centrally disposedconnector.
 7. A quickly removable ignition coil installation, accordingto claim 6, wherein the low-tension winding is connected to saidoutwardly spaced connectors.
 8. A quickly removable ignition coilinstallation, according to claim 5, wherein said other connectors aredisposed near the margins of said cap and cover respectively.